Head coach Dabo Swinney held his 100th career pregame press conference on Tuesday, but he was preceded by head soccer coach Mike Noonan once again.
Like football, Clemson’s men’s soccer team also has a lot on the line this weekend when the Tigers take on Maryland at Riggs Field on Friday in the Elite 8 Round of the NCAA Tournament.
Here is what we heard:
“I think it’s awesome that both ‘football’ teams are competing to be in the final four this week,” said Swinney, whose Tigers’ remained ranked No. 1 in the latest College Football Playoff Rankings released on Tuesday night.
Swinney was also thrilled by the idea that his 100th press conference happened to be previewing the ACC Championship game.
“Believe it or not, I am really happy to see ya’ll today, because that means we are in the championship,” Swinney said. “When you are at a press conference at this time of the year, that means you’ve had a pretty good season.”
Clemson fans everywhere took to social media to express their desire for the pizza poll party, and Swinney brought those dreams to life on Tuesday.
“We’re going to have a pizza party on Sunday,” Swinney said. “We’re going to have a DJ and we’re going to have a heck of a time.”
The pizza part will be held in Death Valley on Sunday regardless if Clemson wins or loses on Saturday. The only aspect that depends on the outcome of the game will be the time that the party will occur.
“The important thing, whether we win or lose, is that this team deserves to be celebrated,” Swinney said.
Swinney made it clear that he puts a high emphasis on making sure his players enjoy the journey they have been on this season, and it is evident that his players are having fun.
“So far there has only been one 12-0 team at Clemson and we just tied that record, so we’re making history as we go and he (Swinney) just really wants us to have fun while we’re doing it, he doesn’t want it to all be business,” tight end Jordan Leggett said. “This has probably been the funnest season I have been a part of.”
The fun, pressure-deflecting approach that Swinney has had this season is just a reflection of his character. That is one of the reasons why running back Wayne Gallman appreciates having Swinney as the head of the program.
“He is just such a down to earth type of coach and he really cares deeply about you not just as a player, but as a person,” Gallman said. “I love to have him as my coach.”
Looking forward to Clemson’s upcoming opponent, North Carolina, the Tigers may be facing the most dynamic offense of the season to date. Playing sound defense and eliminating turnovers on the offense are two components that Swinney said would be the most important in the game.
“If you look across the country and the team that lost the turnover margin two or three times has lost 16 percent of the time. Yet, we are undefeated and it has happened to us six times. I don’t recommend that.”